For Awards, Fitness Reports, and Resumes: Do you know how to sell yourself on paper? Often how well you can articulate yourself on paper can be the one distinguishing factor between you and another candidate (whether it’s for a promotion or billet). During boards in the Marine Corps your section I is briefed out loud—more... Continue Reading →
Productive counseling takes both hard data point/metrics and personal guided questions. We are all used to using prescribed formats but these should be used as starting points not as a check list. Does your Marine know what standards they need to meet as an individual both within their MOS and at their rank? Do they... Continue Reading →
PCS season is around and we are quick to mentally check out or count our Marines as “off the roster.” Have you left your Marine with enough feedback and advice to successfully execute in their next tour? If you had the privilege to work with them for most of their time at said billet or... Continue Reading →
Understanding how all support assets work together will ensure the success of any operation you plan — no matter how big or small. Below are some simple sync matrixes you can use to ensure you got all your bases covered next time you execute. These can be applied to several different levels. The higher the... Continue Reading →
*TLDR* Below is a filled in example to guide you and at the end of the post you can download the blank template. When you take charge of your first section/platoon, establish what you consider to be the baseline and what going above and beyond looks like. This should be included in your initial counseling... Continue Reading →
If you are an officer... These templates are readily available under your unit in IAPS. If you are on your way to leading Marines, don't wait until it is time to recognize them to learn what the process entails. Different units have different standards for submission - find out what your chain of command expects.... Continue Reading →
The following are different automated trackers you can use to input all the fitness reports you write on your Marines. Use this to give them a frame of reference as to where they fall on your profile. Keep it updated. Don't game the system. Be honest. Remember: when they receive their fitness report there shouldn't... Continue Reading →
We're all aching to retain better Marines. The solution? Knowing how to identify talent and educate the troops on what top tier performance looks like. We can gripe about a "broken" system but we can still use it to our advantage. This is how I've been taught and how I now teach my young leaders... Continue Reading →
Checking into a new unit or coming back to the fleet after a few years tends to trigger growing pains. This applies to anyone stepping into a staff platoon/section billet for the first time. While you're waiting to get access to your email and finishing your check-in, here's an extremely basic outline on what to... Continue Reading →
Counseling worksheets to use with your junior Marines (or really anyone). Issue when first meeting the Marines, or when they first check into the unit. Have them update it quarterly to track if there is any progress with their professional and personal goals. Every time you sit down with a Marine, discuss achievements and what... Continue Reading →
Expeditionary Leader 